Matrix holder



' remedy the defects of existin Patented Jan. 18,1927.

UNITED' STATES 1,614,479 PATENT OFFICE.

ADOLF LEINWEBER, OF MUNICH, GERMANY.

' MATRIX HOLDER.

Original application filed August 9, 1924, Serial No. 731,228, and inGermany April 13, 1923-. Divided and this application filed August 27,1925. Serial No. 52,925.

My invention relates to a matrix-holder, especially for use incasting'boxes employed in the production of printing plates for rotarypresses.

The present application is a division of Letters'Patent No. 1,575,995,issued to me March 9th, 1926.

According to present practice, the positioning and securing of thematrix in the casting box is a somewhat difiicult and timeconsumingoperation. After each cast the matrix must be readjusted, or it is sotightly secured initially in the casting bed that the matrix cannotfollow the change of shapev (contraction) of the cooled freshly castprinting plate, with the result that the printing plate isunsatisfactory and the matrix cannot be readily removed from the plate.Moreover. Where the matrix is ten sioned' on the side where the moltenmetal is poured into the box, it is not possible to obtain access to thecastingbed, for cleaning purposes, after each casting operation.

The principal object of my invention is to structures, above brieflyreferred to, and 1n pursuance of this object I position and secure thematrix, outside of the casting box, whereby (a) the matrix ofiers noappreciable resist ance to the change in size (contraction) of the castplate resulting from the cooling thereof; (b) the matrix may be readilyremoved from the mold even in the case of very deep impressions; (a) thematrix automatically returns to its proper position in the casting boxafter each casting operation, and (d) the matrix does not obstructaccess to the casting bed, so that the latter maybe inspected andcleaned, if required, after each cast.

. Stated'briefiy, my invention comprisesa matrix-supporting frame whichis movable about the pivotal axis of the casting-box core, the framehaving at one side a hook or other means to enter a' suitable orifice 1nthematrix, and at the other side an adjustable matrix holder which. whenthe cast-' ing box is opened,i'e1noves the matrix from the cast plateand permits the matrix to return automatically to its proper position inthe casting box.

The preferred-form .of my invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing in which Fig. 1 is a fragmentary lon itudinal sectional viewthrough the right si e of the casting box, this side being provided withthe ingate for the molten metal; Fig. 2 is a similar view through theleft end of the casting box; Fig. 3 is a schematic view-of the castingbox with the core removed; Fig. 4 is a plan view of thematrix-supporting frame and matrix holder, and Fig. 5 is a detail viewof a. fragment of the frame and matrix holder. T

Referring to the drawing, n denotes the casting box and o the corethereforv pivotal about the axis 71.

The matrix-supporting frame, to be fully described hereinafter, ismovable about the pivotal axis 2' of the core. The frame comprises arear member (I, lateral curved membersf and f and a matrix holder Zwhich is movable on studs 72?. carried by the frame.

As shown in Figures 2 and. 4, the frame member d, which is the rearcover plate for the casting box, is provided with a hook or pin adesigned to pass through and engage distance from the type matter on thematrix.

Consequently when the orifice is passed over the pin 6 the matrix, atthis sideof the frame, is always in the correct position.-

In order that the matrix may be properly positioned laterally, thecurved frame members f and f which constitute the side closures of thecasting box, are each provided with an inclined or bevelled flange gwhich flanges, in addition to laterally positioning the matrix, alsogive the desired shape to the sides of the cast printing plate.

So that the frame members 7 and f may be simultaneously moved into andout of the casting box, and so thatthey may receive the matrix holder onthe-pouring side and may be completely moved out of the box withithematrix holder, these frame members 7" and f are rigidly interconnectedby a bar 71. and by the member (1 totform a frame which is movablysupported by the pivotal axis 6 of the core, so that the frame is notonly so movable about this axis but may also be completely removedtherefrom. As a result ofthis arrangement the members f and f may bereplaced by others to provide completed printing plate is moved out ofthe during its release from the printing plate on the side opposite thatprovided with the orifice, I provide the matrix holder Z and form agroove A: in the latter. The matrix holder is movable on the frame andis guided in its movement by" the studs m (Fig. 3).

I also provide meansfor actuating the ma trix holder Z and a descriptionof these means .will be given in connection with a descriptiori of theoperation of the entire'device.

The operation of my improved device is as follows: The matrix 2 is notat first placed into the casting box, as heretofore, but is firstpositioned on the frame. To this end the matrix is hung on the hook eand then shaped about the lateral curved frame members f and The lateralflanges g impart the correct lateral position to the matrix. Thereuponthe head of the matrix is inserted into the groove is of the holder Z.The matrix is now correctly positioned on the frame and when the latteris swung into the casting box n it is obvious that the matrix will alsobe properly positioned in the box. The casting box is then closed bythe'core 0 and the molten metal poured into the box. After the printingplate has set the core 0 with the casting box 02. Inasmuch as the deepdepressions of the matrix are filled with. the

i set metal of the printing plate, the matrix as well as the frame andmovable matrix holder Z and the printing plate held to the core 0 by theprojections s will all be moved out of the casting box with the core 0.

The matrix continues to adhere to the effective face of the printingplate until the matrix holder Z is caused to separate the two by meansof a stop parranged at both sides of the matrix frame on the casting boxn.

I When the matrix has been released from the printing plate, the frame(owing to its wei ht) returns automatically into the casting ox carryingthe matrix with it; the matrix being in proper position for anothercasting operation. If it.be desired to inspect or clean the casting bedprior to another casting operation, the frameand its appurtenant partsmay be simply raised and again droppedinto position after completion ofinspection or cleaning,

The stop 12 is pivotal about arid when the frame is inserted in thecasting box the stop may move about its pivot andthus present 110'obstruction to theinsertion of the frame. After such movement the stop[9 is returned to its effective position by any suitable means such as aspring or counterweight 32 During removal of the frame from the castingbox the stop 7 is held in position by the nose p and the matrix holder lengages a roller q carried at one end of thestop p and'is'moved torelease the matrix from the printing plate.

Inasmuch as the matrix holder be movedsuiliciently far out until thematrix is entirely free, and furthermore as the matrix is held only bythe hook a at such position at which the cast first sets, but isotl-ierwisc entirely free, it will be obvious that thematrix offers noresistance to the change in volume of the contracting printing plate,and hence the matrix will not be torn or otherwise injured. This is-trueeven if some of the molten metal has penetrated the matrix, because inthis case the matrix (with its frame) is completely removed from thecasting box, carefully freed from the metal and mended, if necessary,and then replacedfor further use.

I claim 1. Means for supporting a matrix in a casting box, comprising aframe having at one side thereof a projection for entering an orifice inthe matrix, and at the other side a movable matrix holder.

2. Means for supporting a matrix in a casting box having a pivotal core,comprising a frame one side of which forms a closure for the box at theside of the pivotal axis of the core, said side of the frame having aprojection for entering an orifice in the matrix, and a movable matrixholder at the side of the frame opposite that having said projection. I

3. Means for supporting a matrix in a casting box, comprising a framehaving two opposed substantially straight sides, and two opposed curvedsides, and a matrix holder movably mounted on one of the straight sides.

4. Means for supporting a matrix in a casting box, com rising a framehaving two opposed substantially straight sides and two opposed curvedsides, a projection on one of said straight sides to engage an orificein the matrix, and a matrix holder associated with the other straightside of the frame.

"5. The combination with a casting box, of a matrix supporting framemovable into and out of the box, a matrix holder movably mounted on saidframe, and means carried by the casting box, to effect movement of saidholder and separate the matrix from a printing plate when the frame ismoved out of the box.

6. The combination with a casting box having a core pivoted'thereto, ofa matrix supporting frame pivoted to said box in the pivotal axis of thecore, a matrix holder movable 011 the frame, and means at the oppositeend of the casting box from the pivotal axis of the core and frame formoving the matrix holder to cause the matrix to release a printingplate.

,7. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, a casting box and amatrix-support: ing' frame pivotally associated therewith for bodilymovement into and out of the box.

dli

llll' scribed, a casting box,

means carried by a matrix-supporting frame associated therewith forpivotal movement of the frame into and out of the box, and means carriedby the frame for engaging both ends of a flexible matrix, whereby thelatter may be applied and removed from said frame prior to the movementof the frame into the box.

9. I11 an apparatus of the character described, a casting box, a corepivotally associated therewith for movement into and out of the box, anda matrix-supporting frame mounted for similar pivotal movement about thesame axis.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, a casting box, amatrix-supporting frame associated therewith for bodily movement thereofinto and out the frame for engaging a flexible matrix, said meanscomprising a projection adapted to be inserted into an opening in thematrix, and a holder adapted to engage an edge of the matrix.

11. In an apparatus of the character demovement into and out'of the ofthe box, and.

scribed, a casting box, a matrix-supporting frame associated therewithfor bodi 'ment thereof into and out of the means carried by y movebox,and the frame for, engaging a flexible matrix, said means comprising aholder adapted to engage an edge of the matrix, said holder beingmovablymounted with respect to the frame to permitrelative movement ofthe matrix and frame when the holder is moved. r

12. In an apparatus of the character described, a casting box,'amatrix-supporting frame associated with the box for pivotal able matrixholder on the frame, and means carried by the casting box for engagingthe holder to move the latter when the frame is moved out of the box,said means comprising a relatively fixed element positioned to encounterthe holder.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

ADOLF- LEINWEBER.

box, a mov-

